Printer Image Data Gap for Cutting Member Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers with cutting functions face issues where colorant adheres to the cutting member, potentially shortening its lifespan and causing other problems, especially when cutting A4-size sheets into A5-size halves manually or automatically.
Innovation Solution
A computer-readable storage medium with instructions that generate processed image data with a gap area at the center of the sheet, preventing colorant deposition during cutting, and transmit this data to the printer for printing and cutting, thereby avoiding colorant adherence to the cutting member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic cutting function is provided to cut printed sheets, then productivity is improved, but colorant adheres to the cutting member causing reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by creating a gap area in the image data before printing, specifically positioning it at the center of the sheet where cutting will occur. This pre-prepared gap ensures that when the sheet is cut automatically, no colorant is present on the cutting member, preventing adhesion and extending the cutting member's lifespan while maintaining automated cutting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating a gap area only at the specific location where cutting will occur (the center of the sheet), while leaving the rest of the image content intact. This localized modification ensures that the gap is positioned precisely where the cutting member contacts the sheet, preventing colorant adhesion at the critical cutting zone without affecting other parts of the printed material.
2Reliability
If gap area is created at center position to prevent colorant adhesion, then cutting member reliability is improved, but image data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the image data by creating a gap area at the center position where cutting occurs. This segmentation separates the cutting zone from the rest of the image content, allowing the gap to be positioned precisely at the center without affecting other image elements. The segmentation is achieved through standard image processing techniques that divide and modify specific regions of the image data.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of computer-readable instructions, when executed by a computer in an information processing device, causes the information processing device to perform: a setting process; and in response to receiving a print instruction in which a cut print setting is set: a generation process; and a transmission process. The setting process sets the cut print setting for printing an image on a sheet and dividing the printed sheet at a center position thereof. The generation process acquires image data representing a target image to generate processed image data representing a processed image in which a gap area is arranged within a range including the center position. No colorant is deposited in a region on a sheet corresponding to the gap area during the printer printing the processed image on the sheet. The transmission process transmits print data based on the processed image data and a cut command to the printer.